Rep. Sara Jacobs Votes to Pass the Bipartisan Speak Out Act
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-53) today voted to pass the bipartisan Speak Out Act, which would prohibit pre-dispute non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in sexual harassment or assault cases. The House bill was introduced by Representatives Lois Frankel (FL-21) and Ken Buck (CO-04) and the Senate companion bill was introduced by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk for his signature.
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs said, “It’s long overdue that we end the toxic workplace system that protects predators and silences survivors, especially young women. Despite the forced NDAs that have been used to extort their silence, women from all backgrounds have found the courage to speak out about the pervasive sexual misconduct they’ve experienced in the #MeToo era. I’m so proud to honor their bravery by voting for the Speak Out Act, which will ban forced NDAs in cases of sexual misconduct so we can empower survivors and get justice. This is a powerful step in the right direction to create workplaces that are safe, inclusive, and respectful of everyone.”
The Speak Out Act would:
- Prohibit the applicability of predispute NDAs between employers and current, former, and prospective employees, as well as independent contractors, in cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment;
- Prohibit the applicability of predispute NDAs between providers of goods and services and consumers in cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment; and
- Invalidate existing predispute NDAs in cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment that have not yet been filed.
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